Charlie Manuel wishes Cole Hamels hadn't been so honest
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Charlie Manuel wishes Cole Hamels hadn't been so honest
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I was as suprirsed as anybody when Cole Hamels came right out and admitted that he hit Nationals phenom Bryce Harper on purpose last night. Most times, a pitcher will deny intent, even if it is in winking manner. As you can read on the Inquirer's blog, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo labeled the action "gutless," which clearly it wasn't, since Hamels plunked Harper knowing full well that he might end up getting hit with a pitch in retaliation. He did end up getting hit with a pitch, although Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann said it wasn't his intent to do so (which makes sense, since hitting Hamels moved a runner into scoring position with one out when Hamels was content to give up an out to bunt said runner over).
I know some people think that hitting batters with pitches is an archaic tradition that has no place in the sport, but I'm not sure I agree with that. The way I see it, the practice is the equivalent of fighting in hockey, a way for players to police the game themselves when they feel an opponent is not playing it the way it should be played. It might not be a coincidence, then, that you see more showboating in sports that do not have such means of self-policing (soccer, basketball, arguably football).
That's Charlie Manuel's viewpoint too. The manager just wishes his pitcher would be a little more discreet when discussing his motives.
"I wish he'd been a little bit more, what do you call it, not so honest, or dishonest, or discreet, that might be the right word," Manuel said in a radio appearance with Michael Barkann and Rob Ellis on 94.1/610 WIP today. "What I saw was the next time up Hamels came up to bat they definitely retaliated, he got hit on the calf, and he could have got hurt. If the guy would have hit him hard on the bone part of his leg, that could have hurt. . .I like to think it was dropped right there and the rest of it will be done baseball wise."
Manuel was asked if he thinks that Hamels will be suspended.
"I hope not," Manuel said.
Manuel reiterated what he said last night, that he initially did not think Hamels intentionally hit Harper, who ended up going first to third on a single and then stealing home on a pickoff play to first.
"When he hit him, I actually thought he was trying to throw the ball inside on him," Manuel said. "He was trying to throw it up and in and it him. He got on and he ended up scoring, he did a good piece of baserunning. He showed a lot of guts. He kind of challenged him. I kind of took that as him sending a message to us."
GOOD for Hamels for being honest!! (and for pitching another superb game).
Hamels admitted hitting Harper as a way of making sure the media and fans KNEW it was intentional and there would be no debate about it. The message that was being sent was to everyone across baseball, including potential free agent suitors who just might find this moxie attractive. Cole knew what he was doing when he came right out and told the truth. His value just went up a notch.— Sam Crow- Honesty? There's no honesty in baseball. That's why Hamels will get a suspension. Hamels must have skipped page 192 in the book of baseball clichés - "I was just trying to throw inside and the ball slipped."— Dragon13
- I've usually been on Manual's side, but he is gutless for not fully backing his Ace being honest. A little honesty can do the game (as well as the planet) good.
Comment removed.- Absolutely true. Polanco is a great example. I can't remember any pitcher over the last 4-5 years (it's possible I could have missed it) who sent a clear message back to the other team. He just doesn't settle the score, and Phils batters have paid the price. As for Hamels, the only thing he did wrong was to admit he threw at him. The idiot GM there is the one who brought the "teenager" up. If he didn't want Harper to get hurt playing with the big boys he should have sent him to Hagerstown with a protective helmet and padding. Dope. — Bob1
- Charles Barkley was once asked if he regretted shoving some obnoxious drunk through a plate glass window. He replied that he was sorry it wasn't on the 11th floor, or something to that effect. It's why we love Charles; he's real and he tells the truth. Same thing with Cole here; he sends a message and mans up. Baseball would be a lot more interesting if players, managers, and GMs spoke the truth more often rather than cliches and politically correct B.S. most of the time.— dasher
- Hamels should hit the fans in the stands with a few pitches for supporting the dreck they are putting out there this season.— StraightottaPhilly
- It's all about Colbert. What a silly thing to do baseball-wise and then the stupidity to talk about it. You go Colbert, you're the coolist. The trolley dodgers can have you.— TomO
- Deadly change up, paint the corners all day, great effort Hamels!— escapedcamden4monterey
- Charlie should get fined and suspended for stating he told Hamels to lie about his intents to hit Harper. That is not the mark of a winning manager to tell his players to lie.— sonnybuoy01
- Calif. free spirit, what do you want??— dogman5
- yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn.— bubba church & granny hamner
- Every mgr. in baseball would have had Mayberry sacrifice but Charlie. You have 1st and 2nd no out and a batter hitting 220. The only way you might not is if Mayberry is a terrible bunter but than you put someone in who can bunt.— Don w
- Chirlie has got to be iether on drugs or he has alshimers. The worst coaching of any game I have ever seen. Rubin, Get him the hell out of their.— old SC Frank
